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Anibal making strides in recovery from shoulder strain

Anibal making strides in recovery from shoulder strain

6/4/13: Anibal Sanchez goes seven solid innings, striking out nine while allowing just one run on four hits and a walk to earn his ninth win

By Jason Beck
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- Anibal Sanchez is showing hope that he could be ready to pitch when he's eligible to come off the disabled list on July 1. At this point, though, the Tigers are remaining cautiously optimistic about their injured right-hander, who is working his way back from a shoulder strain.

Sanchez felt fine after a long-toss session on Saturday, finding what he was missing in the start before he went on the DL. The Tigers are hoping he can do the same when he throws off the bullpen mound on Tuesday.

How he feels coming out of that could play a big role in his timetable. The club would like to get Sanchez some action against live hitting, possibly in a simulated format, before sending him back into the rotation.

Jose Alvarez is scheduled to make one more start in Sanchez's place on Wednesday against the Angels at Comerica Park. His spot comes back around in the rotation on July 1 in a Canada Day matinee at Toronto.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.